All this seemed to me like a dream, and yet it was real; my trouble was over! I was now a warrant officer — out of the reach of the lash — had a comfortable state-room, and a boy to wait upon me. Truly, this was a metamorphosis. Just as the Flying Squadron was well equipped, and all ready for sea, peace was proclaimed between England and the United States. This of course put a new phase upon everything, The voice of war was hushed, and all warlike preparations, such as fitting out privateers, enlisting soldiers, &c., now suddenly terminated. Business of another kind now sprung up, such as the repairing and fitting out merchant ships. The Sound was now clear, and all things began to wear a cheerful aspect.
The Flying Squadron, with the Constellation, Macedonian, and Gueriere frigates, and Ontario, and Epervier sloops-of-war, were all anchored oif the Battery. For some years past, the Dey of Algiers had committed frequent depredations upon American merchantmen; had captured several Mediterranean traders, and still held their crews in slavery. These depredations were now to be punished in a summary manner, the United States having formally declared war against the regency of Algiers. We also had demands against the governments of Tripoli and Tunis, for permitting the capture of American vessels in their harbors by the British during the late war. The fleet was placed under the command of Com. Decatur, was destined for Algiers, and to sail in a few days, or as soon as the diplomatic matters could be arranged at Washington.
The fleet had left their moorings off the Battery, and had anchored near Sandy Hook. One evening, while sitting in my state-room, a marine (sea soldier,) came to the door and asked if he could speak with me a few minutes. I answered yes, invited him in, and he then commenced the following story: " You know, sir, that 1 go by the name of Cribbs, but that is not my true name. Now, sir. if you will allow me to tell my story, which you may rely upon as truth, you will soon learn how T came by the name of Cril>!>s. Last December I arrived at New York from Madras. We run by the blockading ships in the night, and took a pilot just outside the Hook.
My native place is Say brook, Connecticut. I had been absent fifteen months. I loft a wife, but no children. After r had boon paid off, I went on board a sloop bound to ybrook, and agreed with the captain to work my passage home. In order to keep out of the way of the cruisers, he always started at night and kept close in shore, and used their sweeps or long oars, and I being a sailor, the skipper was glad to have rae. After breakfast I took my chest on board, and meant to stay there myself. The captain said to me, that the strap of his throat halliard block was broken, and he wished to have it repaired before he sailed, and asked me to go up and send it down.
I immediately went up for that purpose, and had just commenced unhooking the block, when I heard a talking on deck, and on looking down, saw that they were all looking up at me, and at the same time the captain hailed me, saying that there were two men that wished to see me. " I came down, and one of them asked me ' if my name was John Cribbs?? 11 1 answered, ' no; my name is Jones/ " ' Well, we want you to go with us, as far as Market street. ' " * Go with you? who ars you?' " ' We believe you are a deserter from the marine corps of the United States, and we wish you to go with us, and if you are not the man, then there will be no harm done.' " The captain of the sloop said that I had better go, and show them that I was not the man they were in search of.
I had then in my possession four treasury notes, of twenty dollars each, the amount of my wages, which 1 had tied up in a corner of my black handkerchief, that I wore about my neck, and in my pocket, about three dollars in pennies and small paper bills. I went with these fellows, they keeping one on each side of me. I was carried to the United States rendezvous for the marine corps, and put into a back room, which was locked upon me and a guard placed at the door. " I sat down on the floor, wondering what all this meant. I had nothing to eat or drink all that dav, nor a bed on which to sleep at night.
" Early next morning, a sergeant and two marines came in and told me I must go to the Navy Yard. I swore I would not go, and demanded an explanation. The sergeant told me that resistance was of no use, as he could call twenty men if necessary. I asked him what right they had to imprison me; I had never been in the United States service, and could prove where I had been during every year of my life. I was then told that I must go, and if I was peaceable should not be ironed, but if I attempted to escape I should be shot. I had eaten nothing since yesterday morning; I felt hungry and demanded food.